A senior care worker's story

Submitted by admin on Tue, 19/04/2016 - 10:47

Jacqueline Costantini works at Burleigh House, a 44-bed care home specialising in Dementia care in Baldock.

She’s been a senior care worker for five years and recently completed training in general health, and falls prevention, as part of East and North Herts CCG’s NHS Care Homes Vanguard, making her Burleigh House’s champion in each.

“I thought I was too old to learn anything new,” said Jacqui. “But I have learned so much and it has made me feel so much better about myself as well as helping me to care for our residents better

“I’ve learned to mentor others and have Peter, our care home manager, as my mentor. I did lots and lots of training, and it was hard. We had a lot of homework which I had to do alongside the job, but it has all been worth it.”

Since she completed her training Jacqui has been working together with Burleigh House’s other champions - Peter and home owner Mihir Shah - to build a strategy to further benefit residents’ health and wellbeing.

“I came into caring because I needed a full time job,” said Jacqui, who has undertaken various part-time community/caring jobs during her working life, including working as a dinner lady and school crossing patrol.

“I’ve embraced all the opportunities I’ve been offered, but with this latest one I feel I have really achieved something.”

“Jacqui has a heart of gold,” said Mihir. “She’s exactly the right sort of person the caring profession needs. She is a local community award winning care worker and a credit to the team at Burleigh House.”